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Making basil pesto with walnuts is a delicious and budget-friendly twist on classic pesto that swaps pine nuts for toasted walnuts, and it comes together in about ten minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
If you’ve been wondering how to make basil pesto with walnuts because pine nuts are pricey or hard to find, you’re in the right place.
Walnuts bring a rich, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan.
Plus, learning how to make basil pesto with walnuts means you can whip up a fresh batch anytime you have a big bunch of basil on hand.
In this post, we’ll walk through why walnuts work so well in pesto, the ingredients and steps for making basil pesto with walnuts, and a few tasty ways to use it.
Let’s dive in.
Why Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts
You can absolutely make basil pesto with walnuts, and here’s why it works so well:
1. Walnuts Are a Perfect Stand-In for Pine Nuts
The main reason to make basil pesto with walnuts is simple: walnuts deliver that same buttery, nutty richness pine nuts are known for.
They’re softer and slightly more bitter, but once toasted, that bitterness mellows into a deep, warm flavor.
This makes walnuts an excellent substitute when you make basil pesto without pine nuts.
2. They’re Cheaper and Easier to Find
Pine nuts can cost a small fortune, and they’re not always stocked at every grocery store.
Walnuts, on the other hand, are affordable and available almost everywhere.
So if you want to make basil pesto with walnuts on a budget, you’re in luck.
3. Walnuts Add Extra Nutritional Value
Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which makes your pesto a little more nutritious than the traditional version.
When you make basil pesto with walnuts, you’re adding healthy fats along with all that basil goodness.
4. The Flavor Is Honestly Just as Good
Some people actually prefer the taste when they make basil pesto with walnuts.
The walnuts give the sauce a slightly heartier, more rustic character that stands up well to pasta, sandwiches, and roasted veggies.
Ingredients for Basil Pesto with Walnuts
Here’s what you’ll need to make basil pesto with walnuts:
1. Fresh Basil Leaves
You’ll need about two packed cups of fresh basil leaves, stems removed.
2. Toasted Walnuts
Use half a cup of walnut halves or pieces, toasted in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant.
3. Garlic
Two cloves of garlic give your basil pesto with walnuts that classic punch.
4. Parmesan Cheese
Half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan adds salty, savory depth.
5. Olive Oil
About half a cup of good-quality extra virgin olive oil brings everything together.
6. Salt and Lemon Juice
A pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon brighten up the flavors.
How to Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts Step by Step
Making basil pesto with walnuts is quick and easy.
1. Toast the Walnuts
Start by toasting your walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about three to five minutes.
2. Combine the Ingredients
Add the basil, toasted walnuts, garlic, and Parmesan to a food processor.
3. Pulse and Stream in the Oil
Pulse a few times, then slowly stream in the olive oil while the processor runs.
4. Season and Taste
Add salt and a squeeze of lemon juice, then taste and adjust.
5. Store or Serve
Use your basil pesto with walnuts right away, or store it in a jar topped with olive oil in the fridge for up to a week.
Ways to Use Basil Pesto with Walnuts
Once you make basil pesto with walnuts, you’ll want to put it on everything.
1. Toss It with Pasta
The classic move is to stir your basil pesto with walnuts into hot pasta with a splash of pasta water.
2. Spread It on Sandwiches
Swap mayo for basil pesto with walnuts on your next sandwich.
3. Drizzle It Over Roasted Vegetables
Roasted potatoes, tomatoes, or zucchini love a spoonful of basil pesto with walnuts.
4. Use It as a Dip or Marinade
Thin your basil pesto with walnuts with a little extra oil or vinegar and use it as a dip for bread or a marinade for chicken.
So, How Do You Make Basil Pesto with Walnuts?
You make basil pesto with walnuts by blending fresh basil, toasted walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice into a vibrant green sauce.
It’s a simple swap that saves money and tastes fantastic.
Whether you’re a pesto purist or just working with what’s in your pantry, learning how to make basil pesto with walnuts is a skill worth having.
Give this recipe a try, and you might never go back to pine nuts again.